English-Speaking Family Lawyer in Paris
French family law, handled in English. Divorce, child custody and child support for international families, whether you live in France or abroad.
Paris Bar since 2011 · Over 300 clients · Meetings in English, in Paris or by video · Reply within 48 hours · Consultation €250
Claire Menuet
Attorney at the Paris Bar
Claire Menuet
Attorney at the Paris BarTwo situations, one French case
You live in France
You are a foreign national, or your spouse is. You live in France. A French court decides on your divorce, your children's residence or child support. You want to understand each step in English.
You live abroad
You live outside France. Your spouse or your children live here, or you both hold French nationality. A French court handles your case. I represent you in France, and we work by video and email.
Cases I handle
My clients live in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. Their cases have one point in common: a French court has jurisdiction.
- Divorce between two foreign nationals living in France
- Divorce when one spouse lives abroad
- Divorce between French nationals living outside France
- Child custody and visiting rights when parents live in different countries
- Child support between France and another country
- Establishing paternity when one parent lives abroad
- Cases where the French judge applies a foreign law
- Protection orders in cases of domestic violence
- Advice on the recognition of a French divorce in another country
Read my guides: International divorce in France · Child custody across borders
How it works if you live abroad
- 1
You send your request
Use the form at the bottom of this page. Describe your situation in a few lines. I reply within 48 hours.
- 2
You pay the consultation
After we agree on a date and a time (based on Paris time), I send you an invoice of €250. You pay before the meeting.
- 3
We meet by video
The consultation takes place on Microsoft Teams, in English, and lasts one hour.
- 4
I handle your case in France
If you instruct me, we sign a fee agreement. We communicate in English. Court documents are, however, drafted in French.
If you live in France, the consultation takes place at my office in Paris 11th or by video. No commitment: after the consultation, you decide whether to instruct me.
Your Lawyer
Since 2011, I have represented clients through divorce, separation and family conflicts.
A practice focused on family law
I handle divorce, separation, child custody, child support and family violence cases. I represent my clients before the family courts of Paris and across France.
Direct contact with your lawyer
You deal with me directly, from the first meeting to the judgment. I reply to your requests within 48 hours.
Clear answers in English
Meetings and emails take place in English. I explain French procedure in plain terms and tell you what comes next at each step.
Fast action when safety is at stake
In cases of violence or danger to children, I ask the judge for protective measures without delay.
Your Lawyer
Since 2011, I have represented clients through divorce, separation and family conflicts.
A practice focused on family law
I handle divorce, separation, child custody, child support and family violence cases. I represent my clients before the family courts of Paris and across France.
Direct contact with your lawyer
You deal with me directly, from the first meeting to the judgment. I reply to your requests within 48 hours.
Clear answers in English
Meetings and emails take place in English. I explain French procedure in plain terms and tell you what comes next at each step.
Fast action when safety is at stake
In cases of violence or danger to children, I ask the judge for protective measures without delay.
Fees
I am committed to providing every client with complete transparency regarding my fees. My objective is to support you in resolving your legal issues with confidence, while ensuring clear and precise cost management for all services rendered.
Initial consultation: €250
The initial consultation is billed at €250. During this meeting, we will review your situation, assess your legal needs, and determine the best possible solutions. This consultation also allows me to provide you with an initial legal opinion on your case.
Legal fees for proceedings:
For case management and legal proceedings, my fees are determined based on two billing methods, depending on the complexity of the matter and your financial situation: a fixed fee or hourly billing.
For each case, a fee agreement is drawn up, clearly outlining all services included in the fixed fee.
Fees
I am committed to providing every client with complete transparency regarding my fees. My objective is to support you in resolving your legal issues with confidence, while ensuring clear and precise cost management for all services rendered.
Initial consultation: €250
The initial consultation is billed at €250. During this meeting, we will review your situation, assess your legal needs, and determine the best possible solutions. This consultation also allows me to provide you with an initial legal opinion on your case.
Legal fees for proceedings:
For case management and legal proceedings, my fees are determined based on two billing methods, depending on the complexity of the matter and your financial situation: a fixed fee or hourly billing.
For each case, a fee agreement is drawn up, clearly outlining all services included in the fixed fee.
What clients say
“Outstanding expertise in international family law. Maître Claire Menuet was knowledgeable, thorough, and incredibly generous with her time. Her advice proved invaluable, and I would not hesitate to recommend her.”
“Received good advice on a complex divorce question (validity of the different forms of French divorce under UK law, because not all are recognised after Brexit) in very good English. If you're looking for a bilingual French family law lawyer then I can recommend Claire Menuet.”
“Dear Maître, I would like to once again express my sincere thanks and commend you for your professionalism and the speed with which you handled everything.”
Guides to French family law
Questions from international clients
Can I divorce in France if I am not French?
Often, yes. A French court usually has jurisdiction when you and your spouse live in France, when your spouse lives in France, or when you both hold French nationality. Other rules apply in some cases. I will check this point during the first consultation.
Do I need to come to France for the proceedings?
In most cases, no. I can represent you before the court, and we will work by video and email. Some steps usually require your presence in Paris,depending on the proceedings. I tell you which steps from the start.
Will my French divorce be recognised in my country?
It depends on the country and on the type of divorce. French law offers several types of divorce, and not all of them are recognised everywhere. My role is to guide you towards the most secure option, so that your divorce is recognised both in France and in your country. I will check this point before we choose the procedure.
Which law applies to my divorce?
The French judge applies European rules to decide. Spouses can choose the applicable law in writing, within limits. Without a choice, the law of the country where you both live usually applies. A French judge can apply a foreign law.
Who decides on custody when parents live in different countries?
The court of the country where the child habitually lives usually decides on custody and visiting rights. European rules and the 1996 Hague Convention set the framework. I advise you on the competent court and on how to enforce the decision abroad.
What should I do if my children or I are in danger in France?
Call 17 (police) or 112. For domestic violence, the 3919 helpline answers day and night. Then send me a message with URGENT in the subject line. I can ask the family judge for a protection order. The judge rules within six days of setting the hearing date.
Request an appointment
Describe your situation in a few lines and tell me your country of residence. I usually reply within 48 hours. Requests sent in the evening or at the weekend are handled on the next working day.
Office : 22, rue Breguet – 75011 Paris / France
Phone : + 33 7 50 87 18 07
Email : contact@menuet-avocat.fr
Describe your situation in a few lines and tell me your country of residence. I usually reply within 48 hours. Requests sent in the evening or at the weekend are handled on the next working day.
Office : 22, rue Breguet – 75011 Paris / France
Phone : +33 7 50 87 18 07
Email : contact@menuet-avocat.fr
Access
Office : 22, rue Breguet – 75011 Paris – France
Metro: Breguet-Sabin (line 5), Bastille (lines 1, 5 and 8), Saint-Ambroise or Voltaire (line 9) Bus: lines 20, 56, 65 and 69
Access
Office: 22 rue Breguet, 75011 Paris Metro: Breguet-Sabin (line 5), Bastille (lines 1, 5 and 8), Saint-Ambroise or Voltaire (line 9) Bus: lines 20, 56, 65 and 69
